Deepa Mehta's Water screened in Delhi

Unreal reactions

The Films Division auditorium, where the film was screened, accommodates 130 people. There were at least 200-225 people packed in the auditorium. Those who didn't get seats sat in the aisles.

At the end loud sobs were heard from various corners of the auditorium. "It was unreal! I had a great deal of insecurity about the reactions to Water in India. They were all laid to rest that evening," said the relieved filmmaker.

Borrowed film

How did Water make its way to Delhi? "Naresh and Madhu Trehan who are very influential in the capital had seen the film in New York. It was they, who borrowed the film from the Kerala film festival for the Delhi screening and returned it. From there the film went back to the Canadian government."

Karachi screening

On Friday, Deepa left for Karachi for a special screening of Water. Just before leaving, Deepa said, "Though the Kara Film Festival is over, the organisers are having a special screening of Water for a selected audience. I think people in Pakistan got interested in this film about Hindu widows after it was received so well in Dubai."

The commercial release of Water in India still remains a big question mark.